Automobile spring suspension.



H. M. CRANE.

AUTOMOBILE SPRNG SUSPENSION.

APPUCAUON HLED Aua.13, m15.

1,169,531. lafvntcd Jun. 735, lb

2 SHEETS Shi! I.

H. M. CRANE. AUTOMOBILE SPRING SUSPENSION. v APPLICATION FILED AUG. I3. |915.

Y Pateted Jan. 25, IIIIG.

2 swans-sunt 2.

UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

HENRY MIDDLEB-ROOK CRANE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMOBILE SPRING SUSPENSION.

Application filed August 13, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY MIDDLERooK CRANE, a citizen of the llnited States, re siding in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Spring Suspensions, of which the following is a speci fcation.

In an automobile under certain running conditions there is a tendency for the axle to shift back and `forth transversely in refer ence to the car. In the usual spring suspeir sion, however, such movement is prevented because the body springs, which connect the axle and frame, are fastened rigidly at the middle to the axle, and also, in so far as sidewise movement is concerned, at their ends, where they are held .by the spring `brackets and links or shackles. The springs being very stiff in transverse direction there is practically no yielding, and the side action consequently brlngs very severe shoe-ks on the frame. These shocks are very rapid and are very disagreeable to the occupants of the car.

The object of the present invention is to avoid these shocks, due to the tendency of the axle and especially of the rear axle to shift back and forth transversely relatively to the car, and this is accomplished by a construction which provides a degree of gov erned lateral flexibility, securing freedom from the said shocks but without affecting the security with which the body is supported on the running gear.

A further object is to reduce the inertia of the lateral vibrating portions of the automobile by confining such action substantially to the axle and attached springs. This results in less intense road shocks and a more continuous driving effort, the rear Wheels not leaving the road so often. v

The improvements comprise a laterally .swinging connection between one end of the spring and a frame member or part carried by the frame and a laterally sliding connection between the opposite end of the spring d a frame member, together with resilient l :ys opposing the sliding movement and col-ervan f with the resistance of the body spring itself to torsion to hold the parts in normal relation and yieldingly to resist lateral displacement.

In the drawings ,Figure l is a rear elevation of an automolhle equipped with the invention, parts being broken away; Fig. is a Specification of Letters Patent.

v of the bracket.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

serial Nq. 45,302.

i sectional side elevation showing tlie essentlal` V'gitudinally extending body springs 4 may be of usual construction, as may also be the longitudinal frame members 5, with which the ends of the body springs are shown as connected. Each of the springs is fastened rigidly at its middle to the axle. At its rear end it is pivotally connected with a link or shackle 6, by means of a transverse bolt 7 passing through the customary eye in the spring. In accordance with the invention the said link is capable not only of longitudinal swinging in accordance with the yieldingr of the spring to vertical shocks, Ibut may also swing laterally. For this purpose it has a universal joint connection at its upperend, preferably in the form of a ball 8 on the upper end of the link, received in a ball socket 9 having a cap 10, whereby it is held through the instrumentality of screws ll in a recess in a terminal piece 12 fast on the frame member. The forward end of each spring enters the interior of a hollow bracket 13, which is fixed to the frame member and.` which carries a pivot bolt 14 passing trans-Y versely across its interior, the engaging end of the spring being formed with an eye slidable on this bolt.. Helical springs 15 are placed on the pivot at opposite sides of the body spring, between the same and the sides These springs may or may not be under initial compression, and their function is to hold the forward end of the body spring normally centralized and to re-k sist yieldingly and with an increasing force lateral displacement thereof ineither direction. In so doing they cooperate with the body spring itself, which is twisted when the link G swings laterally. he body spring, it may be noted, is comparatively fiexible under torsion, and therefore wheln acted upon in this manner permits of an appreciable range of lateral movement. which is impossible by any direct lateral bending of the spring. Normally, therefore, the body ssj los

springs and axles are held sideivise in proper relation to a cai" trame by means ol'V tile resistance of the springs 17 to the sliding of the forward ends ot the body springs, and, the resistance of the springs themselves to twisting, caused by lateral swinging of the links. ln event, however. of any substantial 'forces tending to produce lateral displace ment, the springs l5 yield to the sliding movement ot' the body springs on their pivots 14, andthe. body springs themselves yield to the twisting stress, the resistance from these tivo sources increasing in direct proportion to the transverse movement. TheV extent of such yieldingly resisted movement is limited by the bottoming of the coils of the springs l5 and by the slianks of the links 6 coming into Contact with the sides of the caps 1G. The amount of movement thus permitted is sufcient to take care of all ordinary lateral action, and thus prevents any shocks upon the `traine unless- Very severe conditionsl vare encountered. The positive stop in each cas prevents the mov`e ment from becoming dangerous.

ll'vliile I have described the preferred embodiment ot my invention specifically, it is to be nmlerstood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction illustrated, and that variations therein and additions to the on the end of said frame member receiving said hall, a transversely sliding pivotal connection between the opposite end of the spring and the frame member, and springs resisting sliding movement at said eonnec- 73 tion.

4. In an automobile suspension, the combination with a longitudinal frame member, an axle, and a body spring fastened intermediate its ends to the axle, of a link pivotally connected with one end of said spring and havingr a ba-ll at its upper end, a socket on the end ot' said frame member receivingr said ball, a bracket on tlie frame member adjacent the otherend of the spring, a pivot on said bracket slidablv` 'receiving the said end of the spring, and springs encircling said pivot at opposite sides of the body` spring to resist sliding movement thereof on the pivot. f

5. In an automobile suspension, the combination with the frame, an axle, and a body spring fastened intermediate its ends to the axle, of a link pivotally connected to one end ofthe spring and having a universal ljoint connection with the frame, a transversely sliding pivotal connection between the opposite end of the spring and the frame, resilient means resisting sliding movement at said connection, and means for limiting substance of the invention are permissible. ,the degree of relative transverse movement For example, the connection between the rear end ot' the sprii-ig and the frame, herein represented' by a shackle having a ball joint at its `upper end, ymay be of any suitable character and lma)vv possess additional functions, providedI it permits ot the lateral swingingwhich characteristic of this portion of the invention.y

l/Vhat I claimns-new is:

1. In an automobile. the combination with ar frame, an axle,l and aninterposed longitudinal body spring, of a laterally, swinging connection between one end of the spring and the frame; a` laterally slidingconnecftion between the opposite end of the spring and tlieirame, and resilient means oppos-l ing 'transverse movement between the bod)7 spring and the frame.

2, In an automobile suspension, thecombination ivitii the frame, an axle, and abody spring fastened intermediate its ends to the axle, of a link at one. end of the Spring jointed to the :trame so as to 4be capable of swinging transversely Well as longitiidi4 nail-v, a connection permitting 'of relative trarisverse sliding movement between thel other end of the spring and the frame, and .resilient means resisting such movement.

3. In an automobile suspension, the combination with :e longitudinal frame member, an asile, and a b'ody spring fastened intermediate its ends to the axle, of a link pivotalli, connected with one end ofsaid spring and having a. ball. at its upper end, afsocketl between the body spring and frame.

6. In an automobile suspension, the combination with the frame, an axle, and a body spring fastened intermediate its ends` to the axle, of a link connecting one end of the spring with the frame, a pivot connecting the other end of the spring with the frame and permitting of relative transverse sliding movement, and springs at opposite sides of the pivot connection normally1 holding the borlv spring central.

'ft'.,In an automobile suspension, the coml bination with a longitudinal frame member,

an axle, and a body spring fastened intermediate its ends to the axle and connected at its opposite ends with the frame member, one end of the spring having a sliding connection with the frame member, the connection at the other end of the frame member comprising a link pivote'd tothe spring and having a ball at its upper end, and a socket `on the frame member receivingsaid ball.' i

8. In an automobile, the combination with a frame, an axle', and an interposed-longitudinal, body spring, of means permitting relative lateral' movement between the axle and body spring on the one hand and the frame on the other hand, and resilient means for yieldingly resisting such movement.

9. In an automobile, the combination lwith a frame, an axle, and an interposed longitudinal `lood)Y spring, of s. laterally swinging connection secured to one end o'f the 130 Spring and bermitting' lateral motion of the axle with relation to the frame, a laterally Sliding,lr connection between the opposite end vof the spring and the frame, and resilient* means opposing transverse .movement be- -tiween the body spring and the frame.

10. In an automobile, a rear spring sus pension, the combination of a frame, two

y Y. longitudinal springs, means for slidingly se- 11. In an automobile, the combination with a frame, anaxle, and an interposed longitudinal body spring, of means permit ting relative lateral movement between the axle and body spring on the one hand and the frame on the other hand, resilient means for yieldingly resisting such movement, and means for positively limiting the same.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY LECABARDY, J. HOWARD BREESE. 

